Abstract
<p>There are only two studies that study the effect of raised feeders on the risk of Gastric Dilatation Volvulus (GDV) and their findings conflict. Only one study found a significant effect of feeder height, with large and giant breeds fed from a raised feeder being at an increased risk of GDV floor fed dogs. However, these authors found that, where the feeder was raised, the height of the feeder that increased the GDV risk was affected by the size of the dog. Large breed dogs were more likely to develop a GDV if fed from a bowl ≤ 1 foot tall, whereas giant breed dogs were more likely to develop a GDV if fed from a bowl &gt; 1 foot tall. No studies found that feeding from a raised feeder reduced the risk of GDV relative to feeding from the floor. Therefore, the safest option in the absence of further evidence is to advise that owners of ‘at risk’ dogs feed from a feeder on the floor. This may not reduce the risk of GDV, but there is no evidence to suggest that it will increase the risk. </p><br /> <img src="https://www.veterinaryevidence.org/rcvskmod/icons/oa-icon.jpg" alt="Open Access" /> <img src="https://www.veterinaryevidence.org/rcvskmod/icons/pr-icon.jpg" alt="Peer Reviewed" />
Highlights
This study was derived from a larger prospective cohort study carried out by the authors. 1991 dogs initially enrolled on this study; for inclusion in the current study, dogs needed to be 6 months or older, and owners needed to have provided vital status information and have completed the detailed questionnaire initially sent out to owners
At the start of the study, owners were asked about the presence of GDV in the medical history of the dog or any of its first-degree relatives
Within thirty days of recruitment, owners were provided with a detailed questionnaire to complete that provided data on the dog’s GDV history, breeding, medical history, reproductive status, personality and temperament, and dietary factors
Summary
One study found a significant effect of feeder height, with large and giant breeds fed from a raised feeder being at an increased risk of GDV floor fed dogs. These authors found that, where the feeder was raised, the height of the feeder that increased the GDV risk was affected by the size of the dog. The safest option in the absence of further evidence is to advise that owners of ‘at risk’ dogs feed from a feeder on the floor This may not reduce the risk of GDV, but there is no evidence to suggest that it will increase the risk. No studies found a decreased risk of GDV as a consequence of feeding a dog from a raised bowl
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